Cardiovasular Disease & Diabetes: What is the connection?

The primary health concerns of the late 19th and early 20th centuries were infections diseases. A shift in adverse health came about after the fortification and enrichment of foods. Chronic diseases, such as heart disease, cancer and stroke became the prevailing ailments. These diseases continue to rise, some at alarming rates. Let’s take a quick look between two prevalent diseases today: Heart Disease and Diabetes. I am going to especially look at the incidents in Nacogdoches County in the State of Texas. [PDF of this post here]

Some quick stats:

Is this a sign of malfunction in the bodies of the population?

Maintaining a healthy status requires a homeostasis of the bodily systems. Having healthy levels of glucose in our blood is vital for proper balance. When we eat, signals are sent in our body to aid in the metabolizing of the food we just ate. Insulin is secreted as a result of some of those signals. It is the “key” which allows glucose to enter the cells. Without proper signaling of insulin, glucose cannot enter the cells. This results in glucose going to other parts of the body. For our body to function properly it is important to keep glucose levels stable.

When our glucose levels are outside a healthy range it attaches to proteins resulting in Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs). Excessive AGEs leads to plaque forming in the blood vessels. One consequence is an impairment of the endothelium which lines the blood vessels. It is hindered in releasing nitric oxide into the blood stream. With this compromised cardiovascular system, the body has a difficult time repairing daily wear and tear. Thus an increase in inflammation. Heart disease often ensues.

In fact…. Studies have shown an increased incidence of heart disease in the presence of diabetes!

With a high prevalence of heart disease and diabetes there is a need to understand the role of a proper functioning body. In regards to diabetes and cardiovascular disease the role of glucose balance is of marked importance. Maintaining proper levels eliminates an exacerbating risk factor for both diabetes and cardiovascular disease. A body which is in homeostasis is free of disease contrasted with a body where malfunction is present, disease emanates.

3 Comments

Important article – thanks for posting. I want to share my experience with your readers.

Before my sister eventually lost her battle to Breast Cancer as a result of Type I Diabetes treatment complications, she had to have EIGHT heart stents implanted.

We are/were both “people people.” As she recovered from surgery, she always stopped by the rooms of the other patients in the heart ward for a cheery chat, as she walked the halls of New York City’s Memorial Sloan Kettering for mandatory exercise.

The majority of the other patients also had diabetes (both Type I and Type II, btw). In her last visit she learned that EVERY SINGLE PERSON hospitalized in that heart ward at that time were diabetics.

Thank you for sharing about your sister – what an encouragement to hear how she stopped to cheer others!!! Sorry for you loss!!

Sadly so many of our diseases are connected yet the connections are ignored by mainstream providers – hopefully the information will spread to more and more so the outcome like your sister had can be eliminated!

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Known for her intuitive investigative skills, Salena Rothenberger, D.PSc, CHC, CFMP and her team at The Functional Perspective combine functional health and wellness with natural methods to obtain optimal health. Our unique approach to discovering imbalances and investigating health recognizes that a life full of vitality depends on resolution of the root causes of dis-ease. Click here to learn more »

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